Moray SNP administration look to summer food provision to support families without free school meals
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THE SNP council administration in Moray is working with council officers to develop plans for summer food provision to support vulnerable households while they have no access to free school meals.
Households that are usually entitled to free school meals have not been while pupils are off school.
With many families facing greater hardship due to the coronavirus crisis, support schemes like this will be all the more critical in the coming months according to council convener Shona Morrison.
Councillor Morrison, who is also the council's equalities champion, said: "According to the chief economist for the Scottish Government in a report last week, Moray is likely to suffer the economic impacts of covid-19 to a greater extent than most regions in Scotland.
"Already we are witnessing significant increases in Universal Credit claims along with huge demand on the council’s food and hardship funds. As we move into summer these pressures on households are unlikely to decrease.
"It is imperative we find a way to ensure those young people in receipt of free school meals are provided with access to food over the six week holiday period.
"We are hopeful this approach will be supported by all councillors and will be exploring how this could be funded with officers and elected members.
"We are acutely aware of how much the communities in Moray have done to assist families and support this ongoing partnership approach for those in need."
